Assalamualaikum,
Dah macam mini series pulak ada sambungan ni, huu. Untuk sesiapa yang nak baca part 1 boleh singgah link ni - Reyne of Castamere: The Baratheon's Usurper
304AC - The realm enjoy a peaceful two years before another conflict broke out between The North and Iron Island which saw the fall of Flint's Fingers to Ironborn forces led by Lord Victarion Greyjoy. Warden of the North, Lord Paramount Roose Bolton sent raven to King Joffrey to request royal intervention. Ultimatum given to King Balon Greyjoy to withdraw and recall his army, however it was rejected and the Westerland once again pull into yet another bloody war.
While the Ironborn is making inland progress at the North marching towards Barrowtown and The Rills, the Westerland fleet command by Lord Kevan Lannister swiftly landed and seized Harlaw Island and transform Ten Towers castle into field headquarter for an island hopping campaign.
Two armies assembled near Saltcliffe between Lord Fredrik's Westerland and Lord Euron's Ironborn in his attempt to retake Iron Holt. While it is known that the Ironborn hailed as a formidable sailor in the Westeros, their reputation in fighting inland is never a glorious one. Fredrik studied his opponents and found out that the Ironborn is heavily rely on their heavy infantry, their cavalry and archer's standard is no match against their Westerland's counterpart. Though lack of discipline, their valour is already a legendary status.
Fredrik's put his infantry in a deep double line, Unsullied at the center to receive the fearsome Greyjoy Reaver. His left are guarded by skirmishers and the second line was being manned by Westerland's heavy infantry. 20 yards at the back, a contingent of Westerland's arbalaster and Raventree archer to form a missile support against the advancing Ironborn. Euron, also a battle proven commander sent his cavalry to harass the Westerland's host, as well as to study its formation.
Unlike previous Stormland's campaign where he usually lead from the front, here Fredrik choose to oversee the battle which allow him to give direct command to his host. This is due to the fact that he's yet to see the Ironborn's tactic in a real battle. Ser Lyman Vikary was being tasked to lead Reyne's heavy knight squadron, well concealed in a woods and ready to unleash their deadly charge once the Ironborn fell into Fredrik's trap.
As far as he know, Fredrik is about to command his first pitched battle against the Ironborn. Fifteen years ago, his father's army was soundly defeated near Pyke during Greyjoy Rebellion. One of the reason was their lack of knowledge on the Ironborn's kraken formation which managed to destroy Reynard's center together with the Lord of Castamere himself. A leaderless Westerland's host became an easy target and quickly decimated.
The battle started at 5pm, as expected Euron throw his fearsome Greyjoy Reaver into the fray. Un-intimidated by their opponent's warcry, the Unsullied lock their shield. A brutal hand to hand combat raged between the spearman and axe-wielder warrior.
Another wave of Greyjoy Reaver attack Fredrik's left, as planned - Westerland's spearman unleashed their deadly spear volley to the Ironborn and feigned retreat. The Greyjoy Reaver chased the skirmisher, but later was being intercepted by Fredrik's second line of defense with full surprise.
Missile support continues to rain arrow to the advancing Ironborn. Euron later commit his final wave of the elite Greyjoy Reaver to complete his kraken formation to smash the badly hurt Unsullied.
To reinforce his failing center, Fredrik moved his Westerland's heavy infantry to fill the gap and join the struggle to absorb the brutal attack. Simultaneously, the victorious infantry enveloped the right flank and engage the Ironborn in a fierce melee attack.
Once both infantry locked into the battle, he gave signal to Ser Lyman to charge the Ironborn from the rear. The encirclement was complete and the battlefield turns into a massacre.
Almost a thousand casualties for the Ironborn including its commander, Euron Greyjoy in a decisive Battle of Saltcliffe. While the Reyne suffered less than two-hundred casualties. The Lord of Castamere himself suffered mild arrow shot during the battle. Due to this victory, Iron Holt was being awarded to to House Reyne by King Joffrey. A further invasion staged by Lord Kevan managed to captured Hammerhorn. A strategic fortress which provide access to Great Wyk Harbor, the castle prove vital for the war effort as it helps to block incoming reinforcement from Wyk, the largest island in the Ironman's Bay.
As the conflict marked its first year, the North led by Lord Paramount Roose Bolton managed to recaptured Flint's Finger from Victarion ever decreasing invading host. With the return of the Ironborn's most competent commander, the Greyjoy reformed and launch a series of desperate counter offensive. However, it was deemed too late as the Westerland's also bolster its forces with the arrival of Lord Paramount Tywin Lannister.
Lord Fredrik was caught off guard when the Ironborn led by Lord Ralf Stonehouse attack his encampment near Hardstone Hill during dawn time. Unable to fully organize his defenses, the Red Lion rallied his cavalry hoping to buy time to allow Ser Lyman, whom second-in-command to setup a defensive perimeter. Some 300 cavalrymen consisted of Reyne's knight drew their lance and charge forward.
The initial charge was successful in breaking the Ironborn's marching column, followed by second and third charges which help to distract Ralf's advancing troops. Upon seeing white smoke - signal for complete defensive formation, the cavalry trot back to their camp.
Like a typical brute Ironborn, Lord Stonehouse utilized his sheer number to strike the now well-defended Westerland's camp. Having rejoined his troops Lord Fredrik quickly took command of the army, moving tirelessly while issuing order to his unit commander.
Against all odd, the unprepared Westerlanders managed to turn the table and fend off the attack while inflicted massive casualties on their opponents.
The hard fought victory help to thwart any possible threat from Wyk island with the decimation of Stonehouse's army. Lord Tywin Lannister landed at Pyke Island on 305AC and quickly laid twin siege of Lordsport and The Pyke fortress. The siege was being participated by 18,000 troops from both land and sea.
With the fall of Lordsport & Pyke, King Balon Greyjoy sued for peace and agreed to pay for war reparations to the North, in addition to the territorial loss to the Westerland.
306AC - The war is over after two-years of bloody conflict. Iron Island was indeed the true loser of the war - total submission to the Iron Throne, downsized strength of the Iron Fleet, fifteen-thousand civilian and military casualties, in addition to huge territory loss including Iron Holt, Harlaw, Hammerhorn, Ten Towers, Orkmont, Blacktyde, Lordsport and The Pyke.
Lord Fredrik was not a part of Tywin's entourage to King's Landing. Instead, he straightly went back to settle administrative issue at the Iron Holt before sailed back to Castamere to returned to his wife and three-years old son, Edric - the heir of House Reyne.
The Westerland's host sailed back to mainland and march victoriously to the capital, however just before they reached King's Landing. Grim news received from the Red Keep - the King is dead. It's true. King Joffrey Baratheon and his brother, Prince Tommen was being assassinated presumably by House Stark sympathizer. With the death of the late King Robert Baratheon's sons, the royal Baratheon's line was perished. Lord Tywin Lannister seized the moment and crowned his daughter, Cersei who is the current Queen-Consort as the new Queen of the Andals & The First Men and Protector of the Seven Kingdoms.
That's the end of Part 2, more part will surely come later. Next - Conquest of Dorne. Stay tuned!
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